PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sean Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mao Zedong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Zedong

170 cm
24
135 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

173 cm
30
135 lbs
15 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sean Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mao Zedong!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zedong throws a head kick that misses.
Smith fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zedong.
Zedong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Zedong misses with a kick to the body.
Zedong wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Mao Zedong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zedong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smith explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zedong throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.

Zedong gets a clinch.
Zedong changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zedong on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith swinging wildly here.
Zedong throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Zedong swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Zedong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zedong somewhat.
Smith explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Smith wants to slow Zedong down by chopping away at his legs.
Smith lands with a thumping leg kick.
Smith tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zedong is able to avoid easily.
Smith's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zedong connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith scrambles back to his feet.
No joy there for Zedong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a leg kick but Zedong sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zedong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith cracks the inside of Zedong's front leg.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.
Zedong does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A low kick from Smith misses

and Zedong counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zedong.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith managing to control the position.
Zedong stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
Zedong tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zedong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zedong won't allow Smith to sweep him here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zedong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zedong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zedong scores with a head kick. Smith tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Zedong throws a lazy head kick
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Zedong throws a lazy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
No luck for Zedong with that takedown attempt.
Sean Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mao Zedong.
Smith wants to land a leg kick but Zedong is out of range.
Zedong on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zedong blocks the body kick.
Zedong wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zedong tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith lands a high kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Smith checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mao Zedong will probably get the nod.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zedong shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Zedong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zedong misses with a kick to the body
and Smith counters with a leg kick.
A combination from Zedong does no damage.
Smith throws a low kick but Zedong avoids it.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zedong motions for Smith to come forward. Zedong throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smith attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zedong lands a front kick.
Zedong doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zedong throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Zedong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zedong tries a head kick but it misses.
Zedong keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Zedong as he checks the leg kick.
Zedong's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zedong throws a head kick that misses.
Smith lands a head kick!
Zedong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Smith throws a front kick aimed at Zedong's knee but Zedong avoids it well.
Smith finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
That kick from Smith tenderised Zedong's leg. Zedong is trying to keep his angry face on.
Smith shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zedong circles away quickly and effectively.
A head kick misses from Zedong.
Zedong fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sean Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zedong throws a head kick that misses.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt
and Smith counters with a thumping low kick.

Zedong drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Smith wants to hit a switch here but Zedong passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Smith there!
Smith is squirming around, avoiding Zedong's attempts to control the action.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zedong misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is squirming around, avoiding Zedong's attempts to control the action.
Zedong misses with a head shot.
Zedong controlling the position easily from mount.
Smith keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zedong can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Smith is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zedong misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Smith is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Zedong controlling from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zedong trying to control but Smith is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mao Zedong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Zedong tries to land a front kick but Smith steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Zedong closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the ropes.
Zedong is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith has Zedong pressed against the ropes, preventing Zedong from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zedong is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zedong fails to pull guard.
Sean Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mao Zedong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zedong pushes off an throws an elbow but Smith leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith throws a leg kick but Zedong moved away.
Zedong is looking to score with low kicks.
Zedong throws a leg kick
and Smith counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zedong's knee momentarily.
Zedong misses with a body shot.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Zedong moves out of range easily.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zedong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zedong throws a low kick but it's checked well by Smith.
Smith bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zedong is looking to land body kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Smith.
Zedong swinging wildly here.
Sean Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith throws a head kick that Zedong semi-blocks.
Zedong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smith sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith tries a low kick but Zedong avoids it.
Smith throws a hook but Zedong blocks it.
A solid body kick from Zedong.
Zedong tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zedong throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Smith counters with a nice leg kick.
Smith blocks a head kick by Zedong.
Zedong throws a sloppy head kick
and Smith counters with a nice leg kick.
Sean Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zedong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Zedong. Those never looked like landing.
Zedong misses with a head kick.
Zedong throws a right hand that misses
and Smith counters with a thumping low kick.
Zedong tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zedong throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Zedong tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith cracks Zedong with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zedong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nice jab there from Smith.
Zedong tries to clinch but Smith moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Smith lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zedong's sensitive parts.
Mao Zedong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Smith takes a swing at Zedong's ribcage but misses.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zedong on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zedong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zedong checks a leg kick.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zedong throws a leg kick
and Smith counters with a nice body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zedong stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Smith.
Smith jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Smith avoids a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zedong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mao Zedong!
Mao Zedong took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Elite Fighter© w/$10-$35 Clothing and 90% LAUNDRY! for their support in the buildup to the fight.